St. Augustinegrass plant named ‘FSA1602’

ABSTRACT

‘FSA1602’ is a new and distinct St. Augustine grass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum  (Walt.) Kuntze) variety distinguished at least by its distinctive olive blue-green color, large stolon size, and good tolerance to leaf diseases.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL RESEARCH SUPPORT

This invention was made with government support under 2015-51181-24291awarded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.). The government has certain rightsin the invention.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Stenotaphrumsecundatum (Walt.) Kuntze.

Variety denomination: ‘FSA1602’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct asexually reproducedvariety of St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze)designated ‘FSA1602’. ‘FSA1602’ originated from a cross of ‘NUF-216’(unpatented) and ‘Floraverde’ (unpatented and also designated as‘FL-1997-6’). ‘FSA1602’ was first asexually reproduced in Gainesville,Fla. in 2010 by obtaining vegetative cuttings of stolons, furthercutting those stolon cuttings into segments exhibiting at least onevegetative bud, and rooting those segments in potting media. Asexuallyreproduced plants of ‘FSA1602’ have remained stable and true to typethrough at least six cycles of repeated vegetative propagation. Noseedling establishment from ‘FSA1602’ has been noticed in greenhouse orfield trials. ‘FSA1602’ has a polyploid chromosome number similar tothat of ‘Floratam’ (unpatented) and ‘Floralawn’ (unpatented).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘FSA1602’ is a perennial St. Augustine grass, and was identified in 2010as distinctly different from other St. Augustine grass varieties basedat least on its distinctive olive blue-green color, large stolon size,and good tolerance to leaf diseases. ‘FSA1602’ spreads by stolons andhas been propagated by tillers and sod. ‘FSA1602’ can be unambiguouslydistinguished from the other turf grass varieties in the sourcecollection from Belle Glade, Fla. and aneu-polyploid St. Augustine grassvarieties at least based on its distinct olive blue-green leaf color.For example, the distinct olive blue-green color of ‘FSA1602’distinguished it from 28 other experimental lines as well as the controlcultivars ‘NUF-76’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,280), ‘Floratam’(unpatented), ‘Floraverde’ (unpatented and also designated as‘FL-1997-6’), and ‘SS-100’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 09,395) that were grownnear Gainesville, Fla. and Citra, Fla. Further, ‘FSA1602’ can beunambiguously distinguished from diploid St. Augustine grass varietiesat least based on its stolon size and courser leaf texture.Additionally, ‘FSA1602’ is distinguishable from both of its parents,‘NUF-216’ and ‘Floraverde’, by its stolon length, leaf length, internodelength, and stolon diameter. Specifically, ‘FSA1602’ exhibits shorterstolon length, leaf length, and internode length, with a larger stolondiameter than ‘NUF-216’ and ‘Floraverde’.

‘FSA1602’ may be used as a turfgrass that is suitable for home lawns andcommercial turf applications. While ‘FSA1602’ exhibited good turfgrassperformance and temperature adaptation when tested as far north asRaleigh, N.C. (U.S.D.A. hardiness zone 7b), it is best adapted to thesouthern and gulf coast regions of the U.S.A., including South Carolina,Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Further,‘FSA1602’ is well adapted to those regions where St. Augustine grassesare currently grown, including regions of New Mexico, Arizona, andCalifornia, and other subtropical and tropical areas worldwide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new St. Augustine grass plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs of plants grown in a Gainesville, Fla. greenhouse. Thephotographs show the plant's typical form, foliage, and inflorescence,and the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1—Shows a stolon of the claimed plant.

FIG. 2—Shows an inflorescence, including anthers and stigmas, of theclaimed plant.

FIG. 3—Shows the pedigree of the claimed plant in which it was selectedas a seedling from the cross of ‘NUF-216’ (unpatented) and ‘Floraverde’.‘NUF-216’ is a seedling from ‘FX-10’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,852) by anunknown open-pollinated male, and ‘Floraverde’ resulted from the crossof ‘FL-1997’ (unpatented) x ‘FL-1721’ (unpatented).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth distinctivecharacteristics of ‘FSA1602’, as characterized in greenhouse and fieldconditions in Florida. The data that define these characteristics werecollected from asexual reproductions approximately ten weeks afterinitial pot establishment. ‘FSA1602’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions, and the measurements given may varywhen grown in different environments. Certain characteristics may alsovary with plant age. The color descriptions provided herein are based onThe Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, Sixth Revised Edition. If any R.H.S.color designations below differ from the accompanying photographs, theR.H.S. color designations are accurate.

MORPHOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF ‘FSA1602’ TO COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

The morphological characteristics of ‘FSA1602’ and commercial St.Augustine grass varieties ‘SS-100’ and ‘Floratam’ were comparedhead-to-head in 2015 using potted plants that were approximately 6months in age. The plants were grown and compared in a greenhouselocated near Gainesville, Fla., with a nighttime low of 60° F. anddaytime high of 90° F. The plants were grown under natural day lengthwithout supplemental lighting, and fertilized using a soluble fertilizerof 20-20-20 in four equal soluble applications per month, which equatedto approximately one pound of nitrogen (N) per month. Leaf length (cm)and width (cm) were measured on the second fully expanded leaf below thegrowing meristem of a stolon. The number of lateral shoots per pot andthe length of lateral shoots (cm) from the crown of the pot weremeasured after 3 months of regrowth. The length of the third internodebelow the growing meristem (cm) and the stolon diameter between thesecond and third internodes (mm) were also measured. Table 1 providesthe measurements of these seven characteristics.

The leaves of ‘FSA1602’ exhibited a medium-fine texture, and theseleaves were wider than those of ‘SS-100’ but similar to those of‘Floratam’. The leaves of ‘FSA1602’ also exhibited a blade length thatwas shorter than that of ‘Floratam’ leaves but was similar to that of‘SS-100’ leaves. The average observed length of ‘FSA1602’ internodes wasshorter than that of either ‘Floratam’ or ‘SS-100’ internodes, whichindicates ‘FSA1602’ exhibits a higher density of vegetative shoots insod plots as well as a higher turfgrass density ratings than those twovarieties. The average observed diameter of ‘FSA1602’ stolons was largerthan that of either ‘Floratam’ or ‘SS-100’ stolons. With respect tolateral shoot growth, all three varieties produced a similar numberafter three months of regrowth, and there was no noticeable differencebetween the three varieties in the average observed length of theseshoots. Most notably, ‘FSA1602’ plants displayed a distinct dark oliveblue-green color that was unambiguously distinguishable from the colorof ‘Floratam’ and ‘SS-100’ plants.

MORPHOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF ‘FSA1602’ TO PARENTAL VARIETIES ‘NUF-216’AND ‘FLORAVERDE’

The morphological characteristics of ‘FSA1602’ and parental varieties‘NUF-216’ and ‘Floraverde’ were compared head-to-head in February 2020.The plants were grown and compared in a greenhouse located nearGainesville, Fla. Stolon length, leaf length and width, internodelength, and stolon diameter were measured. Leaf length (cm) and width(cm) were measured on the mature leaf arising from the stolon nodenearest the edge of the pot. The internode length (cm) and stolondiameter (cm) were measured on the fourth internode from the tip of thestolon. Table 3 provides the measurements of these five characteristics.

The following are additional unique and distinguishing characteristicsexhibited by ‘FSA1602’ when grown under the above greenhouse conditions:

-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—A perennial plant that spreads by stolons and            produces a dense and somewhat coarse textured turfgrass.        -   Plant height (from soil).—Mean of 12.5 cm.        -   Root characteristics.—Typically develops fibrous roots from            nodes that are in contact with the soil, ultimately forming            a sod of fibrous rooted plants.        -   Rhizomes.—Not observed.        -   Flowering.—Indeterminate.        -   Fruit (caryopses).—Not observed.        -   Leaf blade color adaxial leaf surface.—126B moderate bluish            green.        -   Leaf blade color abaxial leaf surface.—126B moderate bluish            green.        -   Stolon color (area under leaf sheath).—200C moderate brown.-   Leaves:    -   -   Leaf blade attachment.—The leaf lamina is constricted at the            base, at the point of attachment to the leaf sheath.        -   Leaf blade shape.—Linear.        -   Leaf blade apex shape.—Acute.        -   Leaf aspect in initial leaves.—Tend to be upright, varying            from near completely upright (90 degrees) to intermediate            (45 degrees) in relation to the soil surface.        -   Leaf aspect in established sod.—Varies from near parallel to            the soil surface to intermediate.        -   Lower surface leaf blade texture.—Smooth.        -   Upper surface leaf blade texture.—Rough.        -   Leaf blade margins.—Rough.        -   Leaf blade venation.—Parallel.        -   Leaf collar.—Continuous.        -   Leaf ligule.—Thin, membranous, and approximately 1 to 2 mm            in length.        -   Auricle.—Not present, but some hairs are present along the            leaf margins near the collar region.        -   Culm length.—Mean of 6.5 cm when measured from the node of            the flag leaf to the position of the first floret on the            spike-like raceme.-   Florets:    -   -   Florets per spike.—Mean of 30.        -   Floret size.—Approximately 4.0 mm in length with an acute            apex.        -   Stigma shape.—Feather shaped with a central axis and            numerous lateral branches, typical of St. Augustine grass.        -   Ovary size.—Fertilized ovules at 10 to 12 days post            pollination and are approximately 2 to 3 mm in length.        -   Ovary color.—RHS 157D light greenish white.-   Inflorescence: Produces both terminal and axillary spikes, with    spikelets embedded in the flattened corky rachis. The spiklets    generally occur in pairs or, sometimes, triads.    -   -   Average raceme length.—7.0 cm.        -   Culm stalk color.—144C strong yellow green.        -   Rachis color.—146B moderate yellow green.        -   Stigma color.—N81B strong purple.        -   Anther color.—17A strong orange yellow.

TURF QUALITY, COLOR, AND DENSITY COMPARISON OF ‘FSA1602’ TO COMMERCIALVARIETIES

‘FSA1602’ has been evaluated in field plot trials conducted near Citra,Fla. (Latitude: 29.41, Longitude: −82.17) and Jay, Fla. (Latitude:30.78, Longitude: −87.14). In these trials, the turfgrass quality,color, and density of the entries were evaluated using the industryrecognized rating systems established by the United States GolfAssociation (U.S.G.A.). Turfgrass quality was rated on a “1” to “9”scale in which “9” indicates “best,” “6” indicates “minimally accepted,”and “1” indicates “poorest”; turfgrass color was rated on a “1” to “9”scale in which “9” indicates the darkest green; and turfgrass densitywas rated on a “1” to “9” scale in which “9” indicates “best,” “6”indicates “minimally accepted,” and “1” indicates “poorest.” Entries for‘FSA1602’, ‘Floratam’, and ‘SS-100’ were established in July of 2011from rooted plugs such that there were three replicates of each varietyat both locations, and these entries were maintained as standardturfgrass plots that were mowed at 7.5 cm height. These entries wereregularly observed and rated through the end of 2016.

Data obtained from these trials is provided in Table 2. For the trialnear Citra, Fla., the average turf grass quality of the tested varietiesin the winter and summer of 2016 are provided. The winter ratingreflects the average of observations made in January and February andthe summer rating reflects the average of observations made in April,September, and October. Large patch (LP) disease (Rhizoctonia solani)was also prevalent at the Citra, Fla. location, and the average turfgrass quality of the tested varieties during periods of large patchdisease prevalence is provided. This rating reflects the average ofobservations made in February and December of 2013, and December of2015. Also, turf quality was measured in May of 2014 after a period ofdrought at the Citra, Fla. location in which irrigation was alsowithheld. For the trial near Jay, Fla., turf quality, color, and densitydata is provided as an average of the observations made in April, May,June, July, August, September, and October of 2016, and as the averageof 24 observations made over the full duration of the 5-year trial.

At the Citra, Fla. location, ‘FSA1602’ displayed superior summerturfgrass quality in comparison to both ‘Floratam’ and ‘SS-100’;whereas, the winter turfgrass quality displayed by ‘FSA1602’ was moresimilar to that of ‘Floratam’ but still superior to that of ‘SS-100’. Inthe presence of large patch disease, the quality of ‘FSA1602’ wassuperior to that of ‘SS-100’ but similar to that of ‘Floratam’. Inresponse to drought, ‘FSA1602’ maintained its quality better than‘SS-100’ but similar to ‘Floratam’. At the trial near Jay, Fla.,‘FSA1602’ achieved superior turfgrass quality and density ratings incomparison to both ‘Floratam’ and ‘SS-100’ when the observations madeover 2016 were averaged; whereas, the average turfgrass color achievedby ‘FSA1602’ was similar to that of ‘Floratam’ but superior to that of‘SS-100’. Notably, ‘FSA1602’ also achieved superior turfgrass color,quality, and density ratings in comparison to both ‘Floratam’ and‘SS-100’ when the observations made over the course of the five-yeartrial were averaged. The averages of the 24 observations made over thecourse of the 5-year trial also best reflects the long-term performanceof these varieties, and superior long-term performance is stronglyindicative of the overall merit of a turfgrass variety. Also in bothfield trials, the color of ‘FSA1602’ most closely resembled the colorRHS 126B (moderate bluish green); whereas both ‘Floratam’ and ‘SS-100’most closely resembled RHS N138B (moderate yellowish green).

TABLE 1 Morphological comparison of ‘FSA1602’ and commercial St.Augustine grass varieties. No. of Lateral Leaf Leaf lateral shootInternode Stolon Variety length width shoots length length diameter‘FSA1602’ 6.00b 0.92a 11.67a 18.50a 4.50b 3.82a ‘Floratam’ 8.50a 0.98a10.33a 22.72a 6.22a 3.46b ‘SS-100’ 6.50b 0.78b 12.67a 18.83a 6.42a 2.80cLSD 0.6 0.06 2.50 6.95 1.23 0.15 (p = 0.05) Means in a column followedby the same letter are not significantly different at p = 0.05

TABLE 2 Turf comparison of ‘FSA1602’ and commercial St. Augustine grassvarieties at two locations. Citra, FL Quality Variety Winter Summer LPDrought ‘FSA1602’ 5.8 7.0 7.2 7.0 ‘Floratam’ 4.9 5.7 6.8 6.3 ‘SS-100’4.2 4.5 4.3 4.7 LSD (p = 0.05) 1.3 1.3 0.7 1.2 Jay, FL Quality ColorDensity Quality Color Density Variety 2016 2016 2016 5-year 5-year5-year ‘FSA1602’ 7.4 7 7.6 7.1 7.0 7.2 ‘Floratam’ 6.3 6.2 6.4 5.5 6.05.7 ‘SS-100’ 6.1 5.5 6.3 5.8 5.7 6.1 LSD(p = 0.05) 0.6 0.8 0.5 0.8 0.30.6

TABLE 3 Morphological comparison of ‘FSA1602’, ‘NUF-216’, and‘Floraverde’. Stolon Leaf Leaf Internode Stolon Variety Length Length¹Width¹ Length² Diameter² ‘FSA 1602’ 18.1b 5.52b 0.75a 3.52b 5.07bNUF-216 48.3a 7.05a 0.88a 7.98a 4.58a Floraverde 54.6a 7.37a 0.68a 6.15a3.13a LSD (p = 0.05) 14.9 1.31 0.13 1.21 0.27 Means in a column followedby the same letter are not significantly different at p = 0.05¹Measurement of the mature leaf arising from the stolon node nearest theedge of the pot ²Measurements taken on the fourth internode from the tipof the stolon

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of St. Augustine grassplant named ‘FSA1602’, as illustrated and described herein.